It did keep her very quiet and she would be very embarrassed if she knew I posted all these but I couldn't help myself! Her personality is huge at times and she always keeps us laughing and on our toes!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Olivia
Last summer when the kids and I went to Wyoming and Idaho we went to church with my parents. Olivia was a little shy so instead of going to Sunday school with the kids she came to my Sunday school class with me. Of course she got bored so I let her play with my phone. I was going through pictures the other day and came across the pictures she had taken that day! It made me laugh :) She is such a goofball!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Quiet: God at Work
This week has been quite the week for me. What started out last weekend as a fun weekend at the state track meet - sleeping in a hotel (that is huge for our kids because it only happens like once a year), swimming, going for a wagon ride etc. ended up with a fever and throwing up and going home early. That turned into hand foot and mouth disease for two of my kids - blisters in their mouths and on their hands and feet. Then midweek we got a huge rainstorm which resulted in a puddling basement and a huge mess (I won't say we were flooding because we weren't wading through the water, just splashing). I spent most of the day trying to dry things up, get laundry done from all that had gotten wet and trying to move furniture so that it didn't get ruined in the water. We ended the week with pink eye. Along with all that I was dealing with other things that were draining me emotionally and physically. By yesterday afternoon I just wanted to throw in the towel and walk away.
Years ago when I was in high school and we were moving somewhere, we were in the garage trying to sort through boxes. One of my brothers gave me a box to hold while they looked through another box. Then they gave me another box. Then it became a game. Let's see how many boxes Emma can hold up before she gets squished. So they started piling more boxes on. Luckily, I was near a wall so I leaned up against it with bent knees and I was able to use my legs to help hold the weight of the boxes. Eventually though, even with the help of the wall, I ended up on the ground with a pile of boxes on top of me (however, I did hold a lot more than they ever thought I would). That is how I was feeling this week. I felt like I was up against a wall with box after box being piled on top of me as I slowly slid to the floor. It felt like no matter how I braced myself, the weight was still dragging me down and there was nothing I could do.
I went through the normal, faithless questioning. Why me? Why do things have to be so hard? Why do I have to deal with this right now? Why can't I just get a break? I will admit, my weaknesses were all showing through! I was grumpy. I was sleepless. I was stressed. I was unorganized. I wanted to fight. I didn't want to be the nice one. I didn't want to be the peacemaker. I didn't want to care.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on my mood, I did care. I can't stand fighting. And, I know too much to allow myself to walk away. I have been blessed too many times to throw in the towel. I have felt God's love too many times to blame Him or be mad. I have felt Him guide me too many times to think this was all a waste of time.
I read a quote from Ray Pritchard. He wrote a book titled, "Why Did This Happen to Me?" I have not read the book, but I saw this quote and it spoke to me. He says: “Sometimes we will face things for which there is no earthly explanation. In those moments we need to erect a sign that reads, ‘Quiet: God at Work.’ Meanwhile, hold on, child of God. Keep believing. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Let God do His work in you. The greatest tragedy is to miss what God wants to teach us through our troubles.”
Life is full of challenges, trials, hardships, hurt and pain. We have to experience these things in order to learn and grow. It is not God leaving us alone. It is Him trying to help us increase our faith, live to our potential and become like Him. We need to be quiet and let Him work. It is hard. I am not very good at it. I always seem to throw a fit before I settle down and listen. I especially like his words, "Meanwhile, hold on, child of God." I am His child. We all are. I think of my own children. Would I ever leave them alone? Would I ever put them through unnecessary pain or trials? No. However, do I protect them from everything so they cannot learn? No. I allow them to learn and grow through making decisions and letting them face consequences. I allow them to go to school where some one may say something mean to them. Then I bring them home where it is safe and teach them. I help them become stronger. I teach them to be kind to others and empathetic and caring. I love them. I cannot protect them and have them learn what they need to learn. You can't learn to ride a bike without falling off once or twice. I have scars on my knees to prove that :) I can hold the bike steady for a while but eventually I have to let go so they can do it on their own.
Our Heavenly Father does the same for us. He is there, holding our bike steady, but eventually He has to let go and let us ride. When we fall, He is there to help us up. He has given us the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to help heal our skinned knees and bruises, to ease the pain and to help us get back up on the bike again. Just as my children come to me with their burdens and trials and hurt, we can go to our Father in Heaven. This knowledge is what keeps me from throwing in the towel. The knowledge of His unending, pure love. The knowledge that I am not alone. The knowledge that I am His child.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17 it reads, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
These trials that we have, as overwhelming and real as they are, are truly but for a moment. The eternal glory waiting for us far exceeds anything that we will experience here in this life. As I sat on that garage floor, weighted down by all those boxes, it took only a few minutes for my brothers to get them all off of me so I could stand back up, freed from the weight. Our trials here are the same. They may cause our strength to be challenged. They may knock us to the floor. But they are just for a moment and if we reach out and ask, He will lighten our load and give us the strength to endure so that we may one day rest in His eternal glory.
So my thoughts as I begin this new week - Quiet: God at Work. Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."
Years ago when I was in high school and we were moving somewhere, we were in the garage trying to sort through boxes. One of my brothers gave me a box to hold while they looked through another box. Then they gave me another box. Then it became a game. Let's see how many boxes Emma can hold up before she gets squished. So they started piling more boxes on. Luckily, I was near a wall so I leaned up against it with bent knees and I was able to use my legs to help hold the weight of the boxes. Eventually though, even with the help of the wall, I ended up on the ground with a pile of boxes on top of me (however, I did hold a lot more than they ever thought I would). That is how I was feeling this week. I felt like I was up against a wall with box after box being piled on top of me as I slowly slid to the floor. It felt like no matter how I braced myself, the weight was still dragging me down and there was nothing I could do.
I went through the normal, faithless questioning. Why me? Why do things have to be so hard? Why do I have to deal with this right now? Why can't I just get a break? I will admit, my weaknesses were all showing through! I was grumpy. I was sleepless. I was stressed. I was unorganized. I wanted to fight. I didn't want to be the nice one. I didn't want to be the peacemaker. I didn't want to care.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on my mood, I did care. I can't stand fighting. And, I know too much to allow myself to walk away. I have been blessed too many times to throw in the towel. I have felt God's love too many times to blame Him or be mad. I have felt Him guide me too many times to think this was all a waste of time.
I read a quote from Ray Pritchard. He wrote a book titled, "Why Did This Happen to Me?" I have not read the book, but I saw this quote and it spoke to me. He says: “Sometimes we will face things for which there is no earthly explanation. In those moments we need to erect a sign that reads, ‘Quiet: God at Work.’ Meanwhile, hold on, child of God. Keep believing. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Let God do His work in you. The greatest tragedy is to miss what God wants to teach us through our troubles.”
Life is full of challenges, trials, hardships, hurt and pain. We have to experience these things in order to learn and grow. It is not God leaving us alone. It is Him trying to help us increase our faith, live to our potential and become like Him. We need to be quiet and let Him work. It is hard. I am not very good at it. I always seem to throw a fit before I settle down and listen. I especially like his words, "Meanwhile, hold on, child of God." I am His child. We all are. I think of my own children. Would I ever leave them alone? Would I ever put them through unnecessary pain or trials? No. However, do I protect them from everything so they cannot learn? No. I allow them to learn and grow through making decisions and letting them face consequences. I allow them to go to school where some one may say something mean to them. Then I bring them home where it is safe and teach them. I help them become stronger. I teach them to be kind to others and empathetic and caring. I love them. I cannot protect them and have them learn what they need to learn. You can't learn to ride a bike without falling off once or twice. I have scars on my knees to prove that :) I can hold the bike steady for a while but eventually I have to let go so they can do it on their own.
Our Heavenly Father does the same for us. He is there, holding our bike steady, but eventually He has to let go and let us ride. When we fall, He is there to help us up. He has given us the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to help heal our skinned knees and bruises, to ease the pain and to help us get back up on the bike again. Just as my children come to me with their burdens and trials and hurt, we can go to our Father in Heaven. This knowledge is what keeps me from throwing in the towel. The knowledge of His unending, pure love. The knowledge that I am not alone. The knowledge that I am His child.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17 it reads, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
These trials that we have, as overwhelming and real as they are, are truly but for a moment. The eternal glory waiting for us far exceeds anything that we will experience here in this life. As I sat on that garage floor, weighted down by all those boxes, it took only a few minutes for my brothers to get them all off of me so I could stand back up, freed from the weight. Our trials here are the same. They may cause our strength to be challenged. They may knock us to the floor. But they are just for a moment and if we reach out and ask, He will lighten our load and give us the strength to endure so that we may one day rest in His eternal glory.
So my thoughts as I begin this new week - Quiet: God at Work. Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."
Friday, June 6, 2014
A Simple Ring
It has done even more. It reminds me that I am loved - by my family, by my friends and by my Savior. It reminds me that I am not alone, none of us are alone. He is there waiting for us with His hands out ready to help. Life can be hard, challenges can be overwhelming, but He will help us through. Knowing this gives me strength to continue on, to trudge through the mud and continue on to higher ground.
As I am reminded of the love and blessings I have in my life and as I am reminded of those who are in need, I am reminded that have the ability and responsibility to reach out and lift those around me. If I, in faith, will reach out and grab hold of the Savior's hand, He will help me do just that. He will help me see the needs around me and He will help me provide for their needs. As I follow His example and serve others, even if it means making sacrifices myself, He will bless me with the means to help pull others out of the mud and up to higher ground.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
When It Rains...
It pours. I guess I am having a pity party right now. I have been so overwhelmed lately with things that a wet basement is just the thing to topple it all over. I know there are worse challenges and trials. I know people are worse off than we are. I am very grateful for all that we have. That doesn't make our challenges any less real. It doesn't make the trials any less stressful and frustrating. Right now, for me, I need this week to be over! We have had hand-foot-mouth disease, unexpected money-sucking expenses and now flash flooding. The basement is full of puddles. I have a huge pile of laundry, stuffed animals, blankets, etc that need to be washed and dried because of the puddles. I have not been the ideal mother today. I have not faced this newest challenge with smiles and hugs. I am dirty and probably stinky and my house is a disaster.
So, I need to take a break and remember what is on the other side of this rain storm. For one, I have a shop vac that works and if I didn't, I have had two offers to bring one over. I have had friends offer to help clean up the mess. Good friends are a huge blessing and I have so many of those. I could not imagine life without the wonderful people that I have come to know and love over the last two years. I know they would drop anything to come and help me if I needed it. And they would bring a diet Dr. Pepper with them!
Even though we have had to deal with the annoyance of this weird little thing called hand-foot-mouth disease, my family is all healthy and strong. As I listen to the four youngest play out in our new lake, I am very grateful for the health that we have all been blessed with. I am grateful that they are able to run and play with no worries. And though they overwhelm me at times, I love all six of them and I couldn't imagine my life any other way. It gets crazy and chaotic at times. Our yard is always full of kids running and playing it seems. There are days that we have someone on our doorstep at 8am and the day is spent with a steady stream of kids coming and going until dark (sometimes even after that). I am grateful that this is a place where kids can come and have fun.
There are also days (like today) that I wish Michael's job was closer to home and a little more flexible. Who doesn't want that right?! But we are blessed that he has it. There are days he comes home covered in cow manure and tries to hug all the kids before he changes. I love listening to them run and squeal as he chases after them with open arms! I love that he is here and though he can't rush home every time I think I need him, I know that every evening he will be. The kids love seeing him pull up in his work truck with Taz in the back. They love when Daddy comes home and so do I.
There are so many other things, these are just a few of the ones that have particular meaning to me today - the rainbows after my storm. Looking for these rainbows don't necessarily make the storm go away but they do add beauty to the clouds and puddles. As I look at the sky and see more clouds coming in, I know that another storm is on the way. That seems to be life sometimes. Just as we get cleaned up from one storm, another one hits. It's okay though. I know if it does hit, there will be friends with towels waiting to help. There will be puddles filled with happy, splashing, healthy kids and that soon enough Daddy will be home!
So, I need to take a break and remember what is on the other side of this rain storm. For one, I have a shop vac that works and if I didn't, I have had two offers to bring one over. I have had friends offer to help clean up the mess. Good friends are a huge blessing and I have so many of those. I could not imagine life without the wonderful people that I have come to know and love over the last two years. I know they would drop anything to come and help me if I needed it. And they would bring a diet Dr. Pepper with them!
Even though we have had to deal with the annoyance of this weird little thing called hand-foot-mouth disease, my family is all healthy and strong. As I listen to the four youngest play out in our new lake, I am very grateful for the health that we have all been blessed with. I am grateful that they are able to run and play with no worries. And though they overwhelm me at times, I love all six of them and I couldn't imagine my life any other way. It gets crazy and chaotic at times. Our yard is always full of kids running and playing it seems. There are days that we have someone on our doorstep at 8am and the day is spent with a steady stream of kids coming and going until dark (sometimes even after that). I am grateful that this is a place where kids can come and have fun.
There are also days (like today) that I wish Michael's job was closer to home and a little more flexible. Who doesn't want that right?! But we are blessed that he has it. There are days he comes home covered in cow manure and tries to hug all the kids before he changes. I love listening to them run and squeal as he chases after them with open arms! I love that he is here and though he can't rush home every time I think I need him, I know that every evening he will be. The kids love seeing him pull up in his work truck with Taz in the back. They love when Daddy comes home and so do I.
There are so many other things, these are just a few of the ones that have particular meaning to me today - the rainbows after my storm. Looking for these rainbows don't necessarily make the storm go away but they do add beauty to the clouds and puddles. As I look at the sky and see more clouds coming in, I know that another storm is on the way. That seems to be life sometimes. Just as we get cleaned up from one storm, another one hits. It's okay though. I know if it does hit, there will be friends with towels waiting to help. There will be puddles filled with happy, splashing, healthy kids and that soon enough Daddy will be home!
Monday, June 2, 2014
End of the Year Awards
I know I am late with this but it feels like, even though school has been out for a couple of weeks, that we are just ending the year. Maddi's track season just ended so even though there has been no school we have still been at the school everyday for that.
Anyways, I am so proud of what my kids accomplished this year! I was able to go to the awards ceremony at the elementary school on the last day of school and watch them receive their awards. I was so glad I got to be there and I am so proud of them! I will start with the youngest and move up.
Olivia - 1st grade. Olivia got 42 AR points this year. She got the most in her class so she got an extra prize from the principal. She was very excited to have the most!
Along with AR he was also in the Assist club. He received his Fitness Gram. He also got an award for receiving 100% on all his spelling tests for the year. That's a pretty cool thing I think! I'm not sure I could say I got 100% on all my tests!
Dillon - 4th grade. Dillon earned 271.4 AR points. He was second in his class. He also earned the Presidential Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. I am so proud of him for that! He worked really hard all year to receive that.
He also received his Fitness Gram. He also got his Book It award for earning all his Book It during the year.
Zane - 5th grade. Zane got 408.1 AR points this year. That is huge for my boy who didn't like to read very much! He had the most in his class.
He also received awards for Assist Club and Fitness Gram. He also received the Citizenship Award in his class. I was very proud of him for that. He was always a good example in class, listening to his teacher, staying on task and helping his classmates. He also got a superior for his band competition. He did a snare drum solo.
Makenna - 6th grade. Makenna graduated from elementary school this year. Big stuff! Now she's on to the high school! She earned 716.7 AR points this year. She not only earned the most in her class but the most in the school. She was very excited about that! She got a huge basket of prizes from the school for all her hard work!
She earned her Fitness Gram and was in the Assist Club. She was in both Honors Choirs this year. She also earned the Presidential Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. She was on Student Council. She took first in the Poppy Poster contest, first in the Americanism Essay contest, and first in the Poetry contest.
Maddi - 7th grade. Maddi got perfect attendance :) She also earned a letter in Cross Country and got the Newcomers Award. She and another teammate received that because they was able to come up and run varsity when the team needed them to. She also lettered in track this year and was able to run at State. She also got a Character of the Month Award for Responsibility from one of her teachers.
Anyways, I am so proud of what my kids accomplished this year! I was able to go to the awards ceremony at the elementary school on the last day of school and watch them receive their awards. I was so glad I got to be there and I am so proud of them! I will start with the youngest and move up.
Olivia - 1st grade. Olivia got 42 AR points this year. She got the most in her class so she got an extra prize from the principal. She was very excited to have the most!
She also earned the fitness gram (which is kind of like the Presidential Fitness Award) and she was in the Assist Club in PE. The kids get "assists" in PE for being exceptionally good in class - listening, following directions, helping, etc.
Zeke - 2nd grade. Zeke got 133.8 AR points. He also got the most in his class. He was reading books this year that had 21 points in them (and he got all 21 points). Those are huge books for a little 2md grader! He is a very good reader and he is able to comprehend what he reads so he can be successful when he took the tests. He was also recognized for his success.
Along with AR he was also in the Assist club. He received his Fitness Gram. He also got an award for receiving 100% on all his spelling tests for the year. That's a pretty cool thing I think! I'm not sure I could say I got 100% on all my tests!
Dillon - 4th grade. Dillon earned 271.4 AR points. He was second in his class. He also earned the Presidential Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. I am so proud of him for that! He worked really hard all year to receive that.
Zane - 5th grade. Zane got 408.1 AR points this year. That is huge for my boy who didn't like to read very much! He had the most in his class.
Makenna - 6th grade. Makenna graduated from elementary school this year. Big stuff! Now she's on to the high school! She earned 716.7 AR points this year. She not only earned the most in her class but the most in the school. She was very excited about that! She got a huge basket of prizes from the school for all her hard work!
Maddi - 7th grade. Maddi got perfect attendance :) She also earned a letter in Cross Country and got the Newcomers Award. She and another teammate received that because they was able to come up and run varsity when the team needed them to. She also lettered in track this year and was able to run at State. She also got a Character of the Month Award for Responsibility from one of her teachers.
All of the kids also improved their scores in all their testing. Most of them are well above their grade average and continue to grow. This year was our second year to go to Deubrook. I am again, so thankful for all the opportunities my kids have because of this school. They absolutely love this school! It has been such a blessing for all of us.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Blackbeard the Pirate
Last week four of the kids participated in the Missoula Children's Theater. It is a travelling theater group that goes all over working with kids and putting on plays. They do a great job! Our school did the play Blackbeard the Pirate. Monday afternoon they had tryouts and got their parts and practice began. Makenna got the part of Yellowbeard the Pirate. Zane was one of the assistant directors (he did not want to be in the play but he wanted to be a part of it).
Zeke and Olivia were parrots.
They practiced every night for the rest of the week. It was a long week and they were pretty tired by Friday night but they were excited for the performances the next day. Saturday they got to school at 11am for their one and only dress rehearsal. Their first performance was at 3pm and their second one was at 5:30pm. They did a great job! I am amazed at how well they learned their parts in such a short amount of time. There were 65 kids that were a part of the play. The two directors from Missoula Children's Theater did a great job! I hope that the school will have them come back again so that the kids can experience it again!
They practiced every night for the rest of the week. It was a long week and they were pretty tired by Friday night but they were excited for the performances the next day. Saturday they got to school at 11am for their one and only dress rehearsal. Their first performance was at 3pm and their second one was at 5:30pm. They did a great job! I am amazed at how well they learned their parts in such a short amount of time. There were 65 kids that were a part of the play. The two directors from Missoula Children's Theater did a great job! I hope that the school will have them come back again so that the kids can experience it again!
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Mother's Day
Today is a day to stop and celebrate all the mother's in our life. Being a mother is one of the hardest experiences ever. Today, because of recent events, my heart goes out to all those mothers who may be going through the day with pain in their lives.
My heart goes out to the mother who gathers her children around her and is painfully aware that there is one missing. My heart goes out to the mother who has had to sit her family down and explain that she has cancer. My heart goes out to the mother who has had to take one of her children to rehab for alcohol and drug abuse. My heart goes out to the mother who has had to experience the pain and fear of trying to help a child who is trying to end his life. My heart goes out to the mother who is raising her children all alone. My heart goes out to the mother who sits wondering how she will feed her family the next meal. My heart goes out to the mother who learns for the first time that her child may never have a "normal" childhood. My heart goes out to the mother who sits by her child's bedside hoping and praying for a healing miracle. My heart goes out to the women who are childless, yet aching to become a mother. I have been touched by all of these mothers throughout my life. Their strength, their trials, their sorrows, have all shaped me and taught me and helped me to become better.
The pains and sorrows of motherhood are deeper than any other pain and sorrow that can be felt. The joys and happiness of motherhood are greater than any other joy and happiness that can be felt. I have had the influence of not only my own wonderful mother, but also many other mothers in my life. I have been shown love, kindness, acceptance, strength, patience, endurance, forgiveness and so much more.
To these mothers, I hope that as you face this day that you will feel the love of your family and friends. I hope that you will feel the love of your Savior, Jesus Christ. He has felt your pain. He knows what you are going through and He is there with His hand out ready to help you through.
As I gather my six children around me, I am overwhelmed with all that I have! I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father has entrusted me to be the mother of these amazing kids. We have our struggles and trials, but we have been blessed beyond measure. I hope that I will be able to be the kind of mother that I was blessed to have.
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's out there! Thank you for all you do!
My heart goes out to the mother who gathers her children around her and is painfully aware that there is one missing. My heart goes out to the mother who has had to sit her family down and explain that she has cancer. My heart goes out to the mother who has had to take one of her children to rehab for alcohol and drug abuse. My heart goes out to the mother who has had to experience the pain and fear of trying to help a child who is trying to end his life. My heart goes out to the mother who is raising her children all alone. My heart goes out to the mother who sits wondering how she will feed her family the next meal. My heart goes out to the mother who learns for the first time that her child may never have a "normal" childhood. My heart goes out to the mother who sits by her child's bedside hoping and praying for a healing miracle. My heart goes out to the women who are childless, yet aching to become a mother. I have been touched by all of these mothers throughout my life. Their strength, their trials, their sorrows, have all shaped me and taught me and helped me to become better.
The pains and sorrows of motherhood are deeper than any other pain and sorrow that can be felt. The joys and happiness of motherhood are greater than any other joy and happiness that can be felt. I have had the influence of not only my own wonderful mother, but also many other mothers in my life. I have been shown love, kindness, acceptance, strength, patience, endurance, forgiveness and so much more.
To these mothers, I hope that as you face this day that you will feel the love of your family and friends. I hope that you will feel the love of your Savior, Jesus Christ. He has felt your pain. He knows what you are going through and He is there with His hand out ready to help you through.
As I gather my six children around me, I am overwhelmed with all that I have! I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father has entrusted me to be the mother of these amazing kids. We have our struggles and trials, but we have been blessed beyond measure. I hope that I will be able to be the kind of mother that I was blessed to have.
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's out there! Thank you for all you do!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
14 Years
Earlier this week Michael and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. So much has happened in those 14 years. Our life has been full of trials and tough times but there have also been blessings too many to count.
We have moved. A lot. Each move was an effort to better the situation we were in. Some of those moves were very hard. Some brought excitement. Some moves were to a bigger house with a little more room for our growing family. Some were to a smaller house that caused us to work and come together. Some moves were to get in a better place financially. Some were to get us in better place spiritually and bring us back together as a family. All came with hardships. All came with blessings. We have made many wonderful friends along the way. We have had many amazing experiences along the way.
In 14 years we went from two completely different people with different backgrounds and upbringings to a couple who has learned to work together and support each other. We know the strengths and weaknesses of each other. We know when to back off and when to press on. We pray together, fast together, confide in each other and love each other. We date each other, flirt with each other and still hold hands while we drive places together.
We have both grown and changed over the years, but we have grown and changed together. I look forward to many more years of adventure together!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
One Day
We all have imperfections. We all have shortcomings. We all have trials and struggles, things that hold us back. Sometimes we are teased and ostracized for these faults and shortcomings. Sometimes we face prejudice and mocking. Sometimes discouragement over takes us and fear and loneliness set in. Sometimes we see those we love suffering and we wish we could take it all away, but most of the time we can't.
I was raised with an amazing example of overcoming. My dad had polio when he was one. It left him paralyzed from the waist down. He never let it slow him down. He did whatever he wanted to do. There were times during his life that he was teased. There were times that he was knocked down by his schoolmates. There were times when he couldn't get a job because of his handicap. Yet, he continued on, and he did it with a good attitude. He never held grudges or blamed others for his circumstances. There have been times when he has fallen because of his handicap. Sometimes, most times, he would be hurt by the fall. Yet, every time he would get back up and keep going. He didn't complain. He didn't use his handicap as an excuse.
Easter holds special meaning to me. Through Christ's resurrection, we will all live again. Not only that, but the imperfections that we have here in this earth life will be gone. Our pains and sicknesses, our handicaps and disabilities will be no more. One thing that I can't wait for is to see my dad in his perfect body! It is something that I have always held close to my heart as I have watched him throughout my life. Someday, when this earthly life is over, I will see my dad stand and walk. I will see his legs receive their strength. It is something that fills my heart with joy!
This Easter season these things are brought even closer to my heart. As I watch one of my children begin a struggle that he has no control over, I hold to the knowledge I have of someday being perfected. I look forward to the day when his body and mind will no longer be affected by earthly illnesses. I am ever more grateful for a Savior who came to this earth, suffered and died for me and then rose again. I am grateful for a Savior who loves me and knows me, who loves my son and knows him. I am so thankful for the knowledge that this is all temporary. These challenges we face, these frailties that we have, they are all temporary. Yes, we have to endure them for a time, but then we are freed from them for eternity.
I was raised with an amazing example of overcoming. My dad had polio when he was one. It left him paralyzed from the waist down. He never let it slow him down. He did whatever he wanted to do. There were times during his life that he was teased. There were times that he was knocked down by his schoolmates. There were times when he couldn't get a job because of his handicap. Yet, he continued on, and he did it with a good attitude. He never held grudges or blamed others for his circumstances. There have been times when he has fallen because of his handicap. Sometimes, most times, he would be hurt by the fall. Yet, every time he would get back up and keep going. He didn't complain. He didn't use his handicap as an excuse.
Easter holds special meaning to me. Through Christ's resurrection, we will all live again. Not only that, but the imperfections that we have here in this earth life will be gone. Our pains and sicknesses, our handicaps and disabilities will be no more. One thing that I can't wait for is to see my dad in his perfect body! It is something that I have always held close to my heart as I have watched him throughout my life. Someday, when this earthly life is over, I will see my dad stand and walk. I will see his legs receive their strength. It is something that fills my heart with joy!
This Easter season these things are brought even closer to my heart. As I watch one of my children begin a struggle that he has no control over, I hold to the knowledge I have of someday being perfected. I look forward to the day when his body and mind will no longer be affected by earthly illnesses. I am ever more grateful for a Savior who came to this earth, suffered and died for me and then rose again. I am grateful for a Savior who loves me and knows me, who loves my son and knows him. I am so thankful for the knowledge that this is all temporary. These challenges we face, these frailties that we have, they are all temporary. Yes, we have to endure them for a time, but then we are freed from them for eternity.
Frailties and sickness
Weaknesses and faults
Misunderstanding, judging, prejudice
Laughing, teasing and pointing fingers
Being different. standing out
Tears of sadness
Broken hearts
Loneliness and fear
But somewhere deep inside
Truth drowns out all the hurt
Someday I'll walk in perfectness
My body healed and whole
Weaknesses will be made strong
My broken heart mended
Tears of sadness turned to joy
For on this path Another trod
He overcame for me
Now through His love
I will be whole
Through all eternity
This Easter season I hope we all find strength and hope through the Savior. He truly loves each of us. He knows each of us personally. He has felt our pains and sorrows. He knows our hearts and deepest desires. He walks with us daily and is waiting with open arms for us to come home.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Zane's Birthday and Other Stuff
Yesterday we got to celebrate Zane's 11th birthday. It is hard to believe that he is that old! Time sure does fly!
How do you describe Zane? Zane is Zane :) He is laid back and easy going. He loves to play. He loves to read. He loves to build things and shoot his bow and arrow. He loves to go to work with Michael. He loves basketball and baseball. He loves to draw and he loves to make people laugh. His room is always messy, his nails are always dirty, his homework is the last thing he does during the day but he almost always has a smile on his face! We are so thankful for Zane and all that he brings to our family. He is such a blessing! Happy Birthday Cowboy!
Along with Zane's birthday this week we also had a lot of other things going on. Maddi had three track meets. I got to go to all of them. The weather was beautiful and I loved being there to cheer her and her teammates on!
The five youngest kids had their spring concert this week too. They did an excellent job! Makenna had a solo and a lot of speaking parts in the play that they 6th graders did. She did an excellent job! I was very proud of her and all the work that she put into it. The other kids did a great job too!
Olivia's and Zeke's classes. Olivia is in the front on the left. Zeke is further back and hard to see.
The 3rd - 6th graders. Makenna is in the front in the middle. The other two are somewhere in there!
Makenna before it started. She was looking a little nervous but she did great! Very proud of her!
Along with Zane's birthday this week we also had a lot of other things going on. Maddi had three track meets. I got to go to all of them. The weather was beautiful and I loved being there to cheer her and her teammates on!
They ran really well, placed in their events and had several new personal bests! I was very thankful for the sunshine and warmer weather we got to experience. I hope it stays that way for the future meets!
The five youngest kids had their spring concert this week too. They did an excellent job! Makenna had a solo and a lot of speaking parts in the play that they 6th graders did. She did an excellent job! I was very proud of her and all the work that she put into it. The other kids did a great job too!
Makenna during one of her speaking parts.
The next night was the school carnival and lock-in. It was a very fun night for the kids. I only got one picture before my phone died. There were inflatables, face painting, a fishing pond, horse races, bingo, door prizes, cotton candy, sno cones and lots of other food and games! The kids all got prizes of some sort. When the carnival was done, the 4th - 6th graders got to stay for the lock-in. I got to help chaperon. They watched a movie and then got to go back into the gym and play on the inflatables. There was more food and drinks, fun music and all sorts of laughing going on! Saturday morning came early and naps were certainly on the schedule for the day!
Olivia and her friend after they got their faces painted. Cute girls!
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